This is the first installment of a four-part retrospective that we like to call Geek Century, in which we examine the evolution of nerd culture in the past hundred years. In this episode, we take a look at some examples of fantasy, science fiction and horror from 1900 to 1925: namely, the works of L. Frank Baum, George Méliès, H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Then, we (finally!) play some voice mails that our listeners have left us, and are left to deal with the psychological traumas they inflict. Put on your beanies and get ready for a blast from the geeky past!

(Show notes after the break.)

I. Cold Opening – The Jewel Thieves (00:00:00)

This is why you never trust Erik with your baggage at the airport in a screwball comedy–or in real life, for that matter.

II. Introduction – Watch of the Doom Hounds (00:01:23)

Whether you’re watching them or they’re watching you, Doom Hounds are downright frightening. Don’t give them any treats, even if they beg you–especially if they beg you! It just lets them know that your resolve is weak and your soul is ripe for devouring. In any case, don’t let them see you at your weakest. Or watch them while they’re at their weakest.

Or something.

IIIa. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum (ERIK – 00:03:00)

Erik reports on the popular series of fantasy novels and their effect on popular culture over the past century. We even briefly mention ZARDOZ and The Wiz–but only briefly, we swear.

IIIb. A Trip to The Moon, a film by George Méliès (MEYER – 00:15:17)

Meyer gives us the lowdown on this early cinematic classic, courtesy of one of the best screen illusionists ever to have run a camera.

If you want to check out the entire film on YouTube, you can find it below:

IIIc. The Works of H.P. Lovecraft (ALEX – 00:23:20)

Alex covers the spine-tingling cosmic horror stories of the master himself, the man who brought the scary story into the 20th Century and defined a genre for generations of authors to come.

His lesser known romantic comedies, such as “Along Came Cthulhu” and “You’ve Got Yog Sothoth,” however, were not quite as successful.

IIId. A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs (RYAN – 00:34:05)

Grab onto your half-naked princesses, folks, and get ready for a trip to Mars with John Carter himself. Ryan discusses this early sci-fi pulp sensation, as well as its influence on later fiction and Disney’s current film adaptation.

If you want to take a look at the trailer, you can find it below:

IV. Rag-NERD-rok Voice Mails (00:48:15)

We asked for it, and (unfortunately), you gave it to us! In this segment, we play some of the messages that you left in our voice mailbox, and respond to them (in two out of four cases, with mind-rending fear).

V. Outro (00:57:38)

As usual, if you’d like to get in touch with us, you can Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or send us an email. For those of you who like to do the podcatcher thing, you can download our show on iTunes. (Be cool, like Derek, and leave us a good review!)

If you’re not an imaginary rapist version of our friend Will or a terrifying character from British television, feel free to leave us a voice mail at (516) 362 – NERD [6373]. When we accumulate enough of them, we’ll play them for you and respond to them on the show. The free comic thing still goes, although actually getting your free comic might take just a little longer than we’d like.